Local contractors seek bigger share in contracts

Local contractors seek bigger share in contracts
By SIMON MUNTEMBA
LOCAL contractors are seeking bigger shares in the ongoing World Bank funded rural roads project that has been extended to all the 10 provinces, saying they have the capacity to deliver.
The contractors said they should be given priority because the empowerment would help to reduce poverty and significantly contribute to Zambia’s economic development.
The National Association for Medium and Small Scale Contractors (NAMSSC) president Lucy Ngoma said there was need for the new dawn Government to give Zambian-owned companies priority when awarding contracts to help build their capacity.
Ms Ngoma who welcomed the establishment of the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises said the ministry should look at the plight of the local contractors.
She said lack of sound capital base was one of the major challenges that has led to poor investment in acquiring heavy duty equipment required for undertaking major and specialised construction works by local contractors but once given contracts, they would build their capacity.
“We thank the new dawn Government for establishing our own ministry, the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises. This ministry will look at the plight of medium and small scale contractors in the country.
“We are also appealing to Government to consider giving priority to local contractors when awarding contracts in rural roads project financed by the World Bank as a way of empowering the medium and small scale contractors,” Ms Ngoma said.
She explained that when local contractors were given priority in awarding contracts, the money would remain in the country, thereby reducing poverty and create jobs for the local people hence grow the national economy.
Recently, the World Bank agreed to finance construction of rural roads in all the 10 provinces under the 200 million Improved Rural Connectivity road Project (IRCP).
Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Minister Charles Milupi expressed happiness that all the provinces had been considered from the initial six provinces under the program.
Mr Milupi said it was pleasing that the Bank would provide funding to the road project whose objective was to improve road accessibility for rural communities in selected parts of the country.